Plant Native – But why?
By Lindsey Rice
ISA Certified Arborist® OH-6739A
July 2, 2026
We all hear that incorporating more native species into the landscape is beneficial; but do we know why? Native plants in the landscape are important because all of the plants’ neighbors, including animals and insects, have all evolved together to create a cozy, co-existing ecosystem. Pollinators also thrive in native plant landscapes because they have evolved to pollinate those plants, and they are a good food source and shelter for our pollinator friends. Native plants also require less maintenance than non-native species and therefore have easier upkeep in your gardens. Even if you are unwilling to go 100% native, it’s generally good practice to try and aim for 70% native species. And be sure to check with your local arborists and horticulturists to verify if a particular species is not invasive if you choose a non-native plant.
Did you know that a landscaped area can have layers? The uppermost layer is referred to as the canopy; this encompasses all of your large woody plants such as the Shagbark Hickory and the Northern Red Oak. After the canopy, you have the understory; this includes slightly smaller woody plants, often providing delicious food for consumption to wildlife, such as the Pawpaw and Eastern Redbud. Then you get to the shrub layer which is even smaller woody plants such as Sweetshrub, Oakleaf Hydrangea, and Spicebush. They are also a good source of food for native species of wildlife.
At the very bottom layer of the landscape, you get into all of the herbaceous perennials; these include ferns, grasses, spring ephemerals, and other perennials with various blooming times throughout the growing season. Listed are a few of my favorites:
Virginia Bluebells (early bloom, shade, spring ephemeral)
Solomon’s Seal (spring bloom, shade, perennial)
Wild Blue Phlox (spring bloom, partial shade, perennial)
Joe Pye Weed (summer bloom, full sun, perennial)
Cardinal Flower (summer bloom, full sun, perennial)
New England Aster (fall bloom, full sun, perennial)
Northern Maiden Hair Fern (shade, perennial/fern)
Little Bluestem (full sun, perennial/grass)
This year I had the opportunity to start my native garden from scratch! So hopefully I’ll have an update for you all next year when everything is beautifully in bloom. Until then, plant as many native species as you can so we can help our pollinator friends thrive and provide food and homes to other wildlife dependent on the natural ecosystem in your own yard.
Below is a YouTube video from a recently completed project where we helped create a native pollinator garden in Hilliard, OH! Instead of having grass or trees underneath power lines, the utility line company opted for a native pollinator garden that will help native wildlife and not be at risk of damaging any power lines! For a free tree work quote by one of our ISA Certified Arborists®, visit RussellTreeExperts.com/Quote or call us at (614) 895-7000!
CREATING A NATIVE POLLINATOR GARDEN IN HILLIARD, OH!
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